With Mizdirection defending her Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint title against the
boys later in the day, the coast is clear for one of 13 fillies and mares to
snag a major win down Santa Anita’s hillside turf in Saturday’s Grade 3,
$100,000 Senator
Ken Maddy.
Breaking from the rail in the about 6 1/2-furlong dash is the 7-2 morning
line favorite, Purim’s Dancer, whose only defeat on the local sod was to the
aforementioned Mizdirection last April in the Las Cienegas. The Tom Proctor
trainee, victorious in the $86,000 Wishing Well prior to the Las Cienegas,
returned from a four-month layoff October 4 to take a course-and-distance
allowance prep by a half-length over the returning A Time to Love. Third-place
finisher Minds Eyes is also back for another go at Purim’s Dancer.
Pontchatrain and Qiaona both seek a second stakes victory of the Santa Anita
autumn meet. Pontchatrain, a three-year-old War Front filly, landed the $82,000
Unzip Me by three lengths in late September, while Qiaona upset older rivals by
a half-length in the October 10 California Distaff Handicap for state-breds.
Both sophomores were saddled with outside posts for the Maddy. Pontchatrain
breaks from post 13, with Qiaona to her immediate left in post 12.
Unusual Hottie, a two-time states winner versus state-breds at Hollywood last
spring, shortens up in distance for the Maddy, while Grade 3 veteran Winding Way
makes just her second attempt on grass for trainer Carla Gaines. The sophomores
Sky High Girl and Judy in Disguise won stakes over the Santa Anita turf last
winter, but Let Faith Arise will be making her local debut after winning four of
six on the Northern California circuit.
Bob Baffert will saddle the Juddmonte homebred Ultrasonic for her U.S. debut.
Previously with Sir Michael Stoute in England, the Mizzen Mast filly was
stakes-placed at Ascot and Haydock in her final two starts across the pond.
Flashback, who won the Robert B. Lewis in February prior to second-place
efforts in the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby, was made the overwhelming 2-5
morning line favorite for the $100,000
Damascus at
seven furlongs. The Damascus has attracted four others, including multiple
stakes winners Zeewat and Tour Guide.
Breeders’ Cup Saturday kicks off with the $100,000
Juvenile Turf
Sprint at about 6 1/2 furlongs. The filly Love In the Desert, stakes-placed
at Newmarket prior to her importation, is the early 2-1 choice over a field that
includes the Wesley Ward-trained filly Richies Party Girl and the stakes-winning
males Jedi Mind Trick and Alpine Luck. Toowindytohaulrox, a course-and-distance
maiden winner on October 6, is another likely contender.
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